(a) Contingent upon appropriation by the Legislature, to better assist the state in achieving its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, the state board shall do all of the following with respect to incentive programs administered by the state board:
(1) To improve the state board’s ability to isolate the greenhouse gas emissions reductions for each of its incentive programs, the state board shall establish a process to formally identify any overlap among any incentive programs that share the same objectives.
(2) To improve its ability to identify the effectiveness of each of its incentive programs in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the state board shall develop a process to define, collect, and evaluate data on the behavioral changes that result from each of its incentive programs.
(3) To better demonstrate that its incentive programs are as effective as possible in achieving specific socioeconomic benefits, the state board shall develop a process to define, collect, and evaluate data that will translate to metrics demonstrating the socioeconomic benefits that result from each of its incentive programs.
(4) The state board shall enter into a contract with either the University of California or the California State University to collect the information necessary to better isolate greenhouse gas emission reductions and socioeconomic benefits ascribed to its incentive programs. The findings from that contract shall inform the processes and methodologies implemented by the state board.
(5) (A) The state board shall use the information collected pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) to refine any greenhouse gas emissions estimates of its incentive programs that are included in its annual reports to the Legislature, funding plans, or any long-term planning documents or reports.
(B) The state board shall use the metrics and data collected pursuant to paragraph (3) to make any funding and design recommendations in its annual reports to the Legislature or funding plans based on the efficacy and costs of its incentive programs in providing socioeconomic benefits.
(b) The state board shall complete the requirements of paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (a) within three years of receiving an appropriation from the Legislature for the purposes of this section.
(c) For purposes of this section, “incentive program” means an incentive program administered by the state board that is included in the audit entitled “California Air Resources Board: Improved Program Measurement Would Help California Work More Strategically to Meet Its Climate Change Goals” (Report Number 2020-114) conducted by the California State Auditor.
(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 714, Sec. 1. (AB 1261) Effective January 1, 2022.)